March 23, 2012

Why is Mclaren quiet while Red Bull and Mercedes protesting each other?

You could not be faulted for finding sweet irony in Red Bull and Mercedes going through a protest dance so early in the season. Both those teams are responsible for many of the cheater parts technical innovations over the past few seasons. From double diffusers to blown exhausts and flexi wings.

Mercedes Showed up with a ned form of F-Duct on the rear wing and was promptly protested by Red Bull (and Lotus). Wing was found legal and now Mercedes is getting some payback by protesting the legality of Renault engines. It is important to note that when teams proves or ask for "clarifications" from the FIA they are also hoping to gather information on rival systems.

No, but the French manufacturer is doing something a different way than other teams within the scope of the regulations. FIA is allowing engine maps that shut off up to four cylinders on partial throttle as a fuel saving measure. Teams have two engineering choices, shutting down one bank of the V8 (leaving 4 inline firing) or in effect creating a V4. Renault uses the V4 setup and this results in the noise you hear. Mercedes is kicking up dust because Lotus and RBR protested their wing.

Meanwhile while these guys are busy having tea with Charlie Whiting, Mclaren is keeping quiet, the latest rumors has them ready with their version of of the Mercedes F-Duct and with a new take on RBR's flex front wing, clever enough to pass the latest FIA tests and still flex at speed.

How many races does Massa have before he's sacked? Who might replace him, Quick Nick, somebody new, Perez? I'd assume unless he stops sucking he'll be gone before mid season so they can work a new personality into the team.

I feel for Massa this time, he's really in an impossible situation. He has the speed but he's a driver who needs the car to be just so. He"s not like some capable of making a car go faster than its apparent potential.. Add to that the media pressures and the fact he needs to look good enough for another team to want him in 2013,,, you can see Felipe has a lot on his plate.

I'm not sure Ferrari is playing legal games giving him a new chassis, if only because I'm sure Massa does not have a contract that favors him.